Exciting News For Chick-Fil-A Spicy Chicken Fans

Chick-fil-A began testing Spicy Chick-n-Strips in Philadelphia and in Texas in 2017. In January 2020, Chick-fil-A expanded the test, adding the strips to the menus of additional Chick-fil-A restaurants in Pennsylvania, Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina (via The Chickenwire). Soon, the Atlanta-based fast food giant will begin offering them more broadly at select locations in Tampa, Chicago, and Central Texas beginning April 26 (via Chewboom). Spicy Chick-n-Strips will be sold as an entree or included in a Spicy Chick-n-Strips Biscuit, which will feature two of the strips served on a buttered buttermilk biscuit.

According to Chick-fil-A's menu, the strips are made from "the most tender part of the chicken breast," and seasoned with a pepper blend, breaded by hand, and fried in peanut oil. As entrees, they're sold in three- or four-piece servings with choice of Chick-fil-A's dipping sauces.

A subreddit called "Why No Spicy Nuggets" received some interesting input on the topic from Chick-fil-A customers and employees.

In the subreddit about spicy nuggets and why Chick-fil-A doesn't sell them (the answer, by the way, seems to be either a lack of fryer space or quality issues when they were tested), redditors opined and offered more information on the restaurant's Spicy Chick-n-Strips.

One redditor from Phoenix wasn't a fan of the spicy strips "The quality on them isn't great. I'd much rather have my regular strips back," they posted. However, someone who had tried them in Pennsylvania wrote, "They are really good[.] I only get spicy tenders."

A Chick-fil-A employee in Mississippi pointed out that there is only one fryer designated for spicy chicken. Adding another popular spicy item, in addition to the spicy sandwich breast, such as nuggets or strips, would cause a backlog in kitchens and increase customer wait times.

Unfortunately, according to the company, the addition of the Spicy Chick-n-Strips in the test markets means that Chick-fil-A is eliminating some menu items at participating locations. Those stores are nixing Original Chick-n-Strips (where they were previously offered), Grilled Cool Wrap sandwiches, and side salads. Here's hoping your favorites aren't on the chopping block or that the spicy strips are delicious enough to make you not miss them.